Chess Puzzle #EWtMi — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen g6; rooks d1/g1; knight b5; pawns a2/b2/c2/e5/f4. Black: king f8; queen d8; rooks a8/h4; bishops c8/g7; knight f5; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ba6 — bishop c8→a6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd4 — knight b5→d4. Opponent replies Qe7 (queen d8→e7).
3. Best move: Nxe6+ — knight d4→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king f8→g8).
4. Best move: Qxf5 — queen g6→f5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Nxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1k2/p5b1/1p2p1Q1/1N1pPn2/5P1r/8/PPP5/2KR2R1 b - - 3 19

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